News 16:00

BULLETIN 18 December 4 pm

Good afternoon. I am……..

In this bulletin:

# The Nkabinde inquiry revises its witness list
# Soccer: FIFA announces a 50-percent increase in prize money for next year’s World Cup
# And Cape Town is internationally recognised as a top destination

# The Nkabinde inquiry into the suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions, Andrew Chauke’s, fitness to hold office has submitted a revised formal list of potential witnesses. This follows National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi’s excusal from cross-examination to seek legal advice without a formal application. This disrupted the original witness sequence. The inquiry will resume on 26 January as the panel assesses remaining evidence and time needed to conclude the hearings.

# The Forum for South Africa has condemned the senseless killing of Warrick Stock, popularly known as DJ Warras. He was fatally shot in the Johannesburg CBD on Tuesday in what is believed to have been an incident related to an eviction. FOSA leader, Tebogo Mashilompane, says law-enforcement agencies must act decisively to ensure justice is served without delay:

# Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe has signed a memorandum of understanding with her Zimbabwean counterpart to strengthen cooperation in social development. Key areas of cooperation include child protection, social protection for vulnerable groups, substance abuse prevention and rehabilitation, and support for older persons and persons with disabilities. The department’s Sandy Godlwana says the MOU builds on existing cooperation between the two countries:

# Soccer: FIFA’s Council has approved a record-breaking financial contribution to be distributed for next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico. The competition will see a 50-percent increase in prize money that will be paid out among the 48 participating teams. Each team is guaranteed at least 175-million-rand for their participation in the global showpiece, while the winner will receive 835-million-rand. FIFA president Gianni Infantino says this is groundbreaking in terms of the governing body’s financial contribution to the global soccer community.

# The financial indicators: The dollar trades at 16-rand-75-cents and the euro at 19-rand-64-cents. One British pound costs 22-rand-41-cents and Bitcoin trades at 87-thousand-201-dollars. Gold sells at four-thousand-323-dollars-75-cents a fine ounce and Brent crude oil is quoted at 59-dollars-38-cents a barrel.

# And finally: Travel and Leisure Asia and the US News & World Report have respectively marked Cape Town in their top ranks for best destination this year. The Mother City has been recognised for its picturesque landscapes, vast oceans, iconic landmarks and a range of cultures to experience. Mayoral committee member for Economic Growth, James Vos, says this recognition follows focused work to unlock priority markets, including India:

Stay tuned for more news………….